Have you ever thought about the word "agency"? Would you be surprised to know that it does not appear anywhere in the Bible? King James ascended to the throne of England in 1603 and the King James version of the Bible was published in 1611. The word agency did not appear in the English language until the 1650s. Thus, the word agency was not available to the translators of the King James Bible. The words that were available to the translators were "master" (or Lord) and "servant."
The word agency refers to a relationship between two people, one of whom is empowered to act for the other. A real estate agent acts for an owner when he or she sells a house or a commercial property. An attorney is an agent for his or her client and has the authority to act in the client's name.
There is a kind of irony in using the term agency in a religious context to mean freedom, when the historical definition of "agent" is a servant authorized to act for his or her master--according to the master's instructions. However, in this context, certain scriptures on the subject of agency make more sense. For example, in Doctrine & Covenants 58:28, the prophet Joseph Smith revealed a truth about God's children, that ”the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves."
So, who are we agents for? Who is our principal or master? We are agents unto ourselves. We are responsible to ourselves and for ourselves. In the same revelation, the Lord suggested that His children ought to "do many things of their own free will" (Doctrine & Covenants 58:27). In fact, He goes so far as to declare that an agent who needs to be compelled to do good "is a slothful and not a wise servant" (Doctrine & Covenants 58:26).
We have the power in us to be agents unto ourselves--the power and responsibility to carry out our own decisions. The Lord is pleading with us to do good of our "own free will," instead of being compelled to do so by a master ruling over us with a hand of oppression. The power we have to act as our own agents and carry out our own instructions is preparing us for greater responsibility and greater wisdom than we now have. It is preparing us to become kings and queens. It is giving us both the freedom and responsibility to develop character, integrity, and leadership--in a way that we could never do by simply carrying out someone else's instructions obediently. Agency is both a great responsibility and a divine gift.
LILY Pod: The Law of Choice (agency)
LILY Tube: How Do I Know if I'm Codependent?
LILY Short: Divorce Incentives
LILY GROUP COACHING
Valuable Support * Transformative Coaching * Affordable Price
August is your LAST CHANCE this year to join one of our exclusive coaching groups for fall (Sept-Dec). We have a FREE online meeting THIS WEEK to share how these groups are here to serve you.
Want to take your life and relationships to the next level? Join us as Men & Women meet TOGETHER with Jeff & Cathy for this interactive Q & A. Register to attend here: FREE Group Coaching Orientation. Thursday, August 24th at 6:30pm MT by Zoom.
LILY COURSES
Informative * Healing * Transformational
Let us help you heal from divorce and design a life you love with our "Life Design After Divorce" course (available on demand!).
We are offering "Courting with Confidence" LIVE this Fall (Sept-Dec). Space is limited so if you are interested, sign up ASAP (first come first serve). To learn more, register for the FREE WEBINAR, coming up on Thursday, September 7th at 6:30pm MT by Zoom.
Get a copy of "Intentional Courtship" on Amazon to heal from relationship loss and create more love in your life.
